The Lady From Sleepy Hollow

Ichabod

We ride side by side in a steady trot, and I quote the words from the crone to young Masbath. "We 'take the Indian trail to the Tree of the Dead.'"

He looks over at me, and wonders, "How will we recognize it?"

"Without difficulty, I'd rather fear," I reply. "Then 'climb down to the Horseman's resting place.'"

​"His camp?" the boy asks, confused.

I immediately correct him with solemnity. "His grave."

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Farther on, we charge over a hill. I halt Gunpowder upon seeing a silvery shape pass by in the distance. I murmur to young Masbath calmly, "Stay here."

I then climb clumsily off, and hand the reins to young Masbath, who obeys.

I take out my pistol and stealthily sprint to nearby forest growth, peering around from an old tree. The figure has disappeared, and I squint my eyes in search for it.

I wade on through the forestry underbrush, keeping low. A horse's snort is heard further ahead, and I scan the area, forging on.

I push through branches, growing fearful... I find the silvery figure, and notice a second one in emerald. I come up behind the figures in grey and emerald on horseback.

I raise my pistol, cocking the hammer.

"Halt and turn. I have a pistol aimed," I demand, trembling.

The figure in silver stops their horse, and both push off their cloak hoods. I gasp discreetly upon seeing the two fairest maidens of Sleepy Hollow.
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I lower my gun, shaken at the thought of nearly shooting them.

​"Mary? Katrina? I might have killed you! Why have you come?" I ask them as I carefully make my way to their horse.

​​Mary speaks with an intense, caring tone, "Because no one else would go with you."

"I couldn't let her go alone, either," Katrina explains, smiling a little.

Their words hearten me, and I feel an urge to embrace Mary.

"I am now twice the man," I say, taking Mary's hand in mine.

I look between the two, and say graciously, still touched by their care, "It is your white magic."

She grins, and a small twinkle in her eye makes me believe that she, too, would like to embrace me.

I lean just a little up to her, gathering the courage to embrace her, but am interrupted by young Masbath's voice.

"Pardon my intrusion."

The three of us look to see that young Masbath has backtracked my path. The boy continues with slight embarrassment, "I think you'd better come and look at this."

He ducks through the trees to return to the horses. I give the two ladies a grateful smile, and lead them back to our horses.

"Have you discovered anything?" Mary wonders as I lead their horse by the reins.

"I—well, yes. There is this place where the Horseman is buried, and I believe it will give us clues on how to stop him," I reply to her.

Katrina pipes up, "His grave?"

"Yes," I confirm. "Perhaps his remains will reveal something of importance."

We reach our horses, whom young Masbath tied up to a tree. I mount and gesture for young Masbath to lead the way. My focus shifts to Mary and Katrina, and I smile at them nervously.